Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm that the scheduled local government elections in May 2026 will not be cancelled, and explain why it is necessary to do so at this late stage despite the Government's previous assurances?
House of Commons · Urgent Question
Local Elections Cancellation 2026-01-19
19 January 2026 · 21 other contributors
Opened by James Cleverly Con Braintree
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
James Cleverly raised concerns about local elections cancellation 2026-01-19 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
- Concerns were raised about the cancellation of local government elections scheduled for May 2026.
- The Minister thanked Sir James Cleverly for his question and explained that a once-in-a-generation reorganisation of local government is underway.
- Councils undergoing reorganisations may have their elections postponed to release essential capacity for effective change delivery.
How the debate unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Other contributors (21)
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Question
This Government have moved seamlessly from arrogance to incompetence, and now to cowardice. Some 3.7 million people are being denied the right to vote. Why was the Electoral Commission not consulted on these cancellations? Why is this being done at the last possible moment?
Minister reply
We wrote to notify the Electoral Commission, and we are grateful for its ongoing engagement. We will certainly have regard to all views and representations made, including those of the Electoral Commission, but this is fundamentally about local councils and their capacity in the context of local government reorganisation.
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Question
When will the Government make the final decisions? Do they plan to reject any of the requests for delays? Can the Minister outline that she is confident that the reorganisation will not distract hard-working frontline staff, impacting residents across the country who rely on the council’s day-to-day services?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State will make a decision as soon as he possibly can. We are moving quickly to get these representations from councils and set out further information that we have asked for. Regarding resources, it is important to ensure that local authorities move towards financial sustainability.
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Question
Does the Minister accept that cancelling elections risks setting a dangerous precedent that elections become optional when they are inconvenient to those in power? What message does it send to residents about the value of local government if their right to vote can be so easily set aside?
Minister reply
The vast majority of elections are going ahead next year. A huge number of people will be voting. It is important that the principle of holding elections is stuck to, and we will take decisions based on evidence and precedent.
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Question
How will the Minister distinguish between a councillor's motivation to delay an election due to vested interests in retaining their seat versus genuine capacity issues?
Minister reply
We are considering all representations, including the kind of evidence set out in previous statements, such as evidence of genuine capacity issues.
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Question
Was it not wrong to cancel elections last year and wrong to cancel them again this year?
Minister reply
Councils undergoing reorganisations have been asked if postponing their elections could release essential capacity to deliver changes effectively, following precedent from previous Governments who postponed many elections between 2019 and 2022.
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Question
Will the Government abide by a judicial review ruling if it rules in favour of holding elections?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman mentions a legal process that I am not at liberty to comment on in detail. We want elections to go ahead, unless there is a strong justification.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that East Sussex county council's refusal to engage with constituents regarding bus services, despite receiving over £10 million from this Government, is unacceptable?
Minister reply
Given the number of times buses have been raised with me when I have been door-knocking during elections, I am surprised that they do not lead the news more often. I congratulate my hon. Friend on her efforts to get decent bus services for her constituents.
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Question
Is it a coincidence that only Labour-run councils want to cancel elections while Conservative-led ones do not?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for the points he raises. I have set out the way in which we are consulting with local authorities, and the Secretary of State will take the decision accordingly.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that holding elections during reorganisation risks confusing voters?
Minister reply
I do not know about agreeing with the right hon. Member for Newark, but I certainly agree with my hon. Friend, who gets to the point we are trying to make. We are acting in accordance with precedent.
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Question
When can people expect to hear from the Minister or Secretary of State about when they can kick out the Conservative council that is squatting in County Hall?
Minister reply
Potholes are probably second only to buses in the list of important issues. We will not have any undue delays. The Secretary of State will have more to say quite soon.
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Question
Can the Minister confirm that Bolton is looking forward to having local elections in May, as it has been for other boroughs in Greater Manchester?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right, of course: elections are taking place up and down the country. I am sure there are lots of people who are looking forward to participating.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that Exeter city council is quickly losing its democratic mandate?
Minister reply
Let me thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I do not agree with him on the substantive point he makes, but I have heard his views and will pass them on to the Secretary of State.
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Question
Is Labour simply running scared about elections in Essex?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for relaying the words of Councillor Kevin Bentley, whom it has been a pleasure to meet on a number of occasions. Getting a clear position is obviously important. We will do that quickly, and the Secretary of State will take into account those representations.
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Question
Will the Minister speak to the councils with an actual democratic mandate instead of the county administration trying to cling to power?
Minister reply
We are in regular contact with local authorities. The Department and the Secretary of State will have heard what the hon. Gentleman has said, and we will make sure that those views are fed in.
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Question
When will all councils know for definite if their elections will be held later this year?
Minister reply
Again, we have moved quickly. We are getting the information that we need, and the Secretary of State will move as quickly as he can to take the decision.
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Question
Can the Minister categorically confirm that local elections in Broxbourne will go ahead on 7 May?
Minister reply
I have said on a number of occasions that we want the elections to go ahead unless there is a justified reason. The hon. Gentleman makes his point on behalf of his constituents, in the context of reorganisation.
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Question
Will the Minister make herself available for a future political researcher writing a thesis about the influence of adverse opinion polls on the cancellation of local elections?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his kind question. I hope that at that point I might be doing something other than politics, and perhaps I might not quite have time.
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Question
Are the Government running scared of Reform or do they simply not want to be held accountable?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question, but no further response is provided in the given transcript.
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Question
How does the Minister expect people to believe anything the Government say, given that elections have been cancelled for some communities in consecutive years?
Minister reply
Elections will be happening up and down this country in May. We are committed to democracy and it is very important that people have their say.
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Question
What actions will the Minister take to restore confidence among 3.7 million people who will be denied the right to vote due to cancelled or delayed elections?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his attention and care in these issues. Once we have new institutions set up through reorganisation, people will be able to elect representatives to those new institutions, ensuring they can express their opinions about public services.
Government Response
I thank Sir James Cleverly for his question. We are undertaking a once-in-a-generation reorganisation of local government, which involves moving to single-tier councils everywhere by the end of this Parliament. This will make local decisions faster and more effective in areas such as housing and social care. Councils undergoing reorganisations have been asked if postponing their elections could release essential capacity to deliver the changes effectively. We are running a legally robust process, considering all representations before making decisions to give councils certainty. The Secretary of State has written to four councils for clarity on their position by 10 am tomorrow, and we will update Parliament on those decisions in the usual way.
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